Football Federation Australia (FFA) has today announced that Emma Highwood has been appointed as the Head of Women’s Football.

Emma will assume the responsibilities in addition to her current role as FFA’s Head of Community Football and a member of the Senior Management Team.

Emma was instrumental in the development and launch of FFA’s Women’s Football Strategy last year, which sets out to establish football as the most appealing and successful women’s sport in Australia.

FFA CEO David Gallop said combining the senior management responsibilities for women’s and community football was part of FFA’s strategic approach to game development and participation growth.

“FFA wants women’s football development to be at the heart of the game, not as a separate stream, that’s why including women’s football in Emma’s portfolio makes strategic sense,” said Gallop.

“The growth in women’s football at junior and senior levels has been one of the major drivers of participation in Australian football over the past decade and we want to maximise the potential.

“Emma has proven herself as a dynamic and innovative executive and I’m delighted she’s accepted this new challenge.”

As part of the new structure, Gallop has confirmed that FFA will recruit a new Marketing Manager for Women’s Football. The process of appointing a new Head Coach of the Westfield Matildas is underway.

Emma Highwood has risen through the ranks at FFA over the past four years, working in game and club development roles, and co-ordinating FFA’s key game development partnerships with State and Territory Member Federations, including the implementation of the National Premier Leagues model.

She was the project leader of the MyFootballClub web portal, which is now the biggest sports registration database in Australia.

“These are exciting times for women’s football and we have wonderful opportunities from the grassroots to the elite level,” said Highwood.

“Participation in women’s football is growing rapidly and we have incredible role models in the Westfield Matildas.

“The team’s success in Asia, next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup and the increasing profile of the Westfield W-League will help us tell the great story of women’s football in Australia.”

FFV has created this document to assist clubs with some strategies to primarily retain their current players, and secondarily present some recruitment strategies. The document addresses the key findings from

Attendance- 28 including representatives from Football West and clubs.

A disappointing turnout from clubs perhaps due to cup rounds, referee course and coaching coaurse also running on this day.

Peter Hugg (Football West CEO) presented papers on working with School Sports, the new National Premier League model and Blueprint for Womens Football. Available on request.

GROWTH STATS

2010 5806 females 4450 under 18

2011 6727 females 5175 under 18

2012 6763 females 5076 under 18

2013 6101 females 4408 under 18

Many of the reasons for dropping numbers and large turnover are related to coaching as canvassed by FFA in surveys of the membership over the last 12 months. Although a large number of females turn over, how would we cope if they were all retained?

Jess Bonzas has been working on a LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME

This is to encourage players to become coaches and mentors beyond their current or past experience to commit to fostering our next generation.

Fliers were handed out for the Kick and Try Day July 18 for girls 8-12 and SAP workshop sessions July 28 and August 16 for coaches.

Katy Gill talked about the GOOD SPORTS PROGRAMME

Glory players can visit your club to conduct sessions and help foster mentoring.

TOPICS BROUGHT UP FROM THE FLOOR:

school sports recognition (none provided by Football West- its up to clubs to negotiate the pathway with each other and in consideration of other representations as well, otherwise could be a fixturing challenge)

WLeague trials and coaches getting to clubs (trials commence shortly)

referee quality and numbers

SAM MUSCA from the Referee Standing Committee brought up some great initiatives

1. referee academy scholarships (3 year programme of free education)

2. free female education in junior licence

3. visits by the RSC to clubs to encourage females to upskill

4. club based programmes with a minimum of 15 members (neighbouring clubs encouraged to join together)

5. encourage young players to referee club junior matches as introduction to the game

Minimum age to referee is 14 and you must be 2 years older than the age you are refereeing.

Women’s football will be in the spotlight at a public forum to be facilitated by Football West Board member Janette Spencer at E&D Litis Stadium on June 28.

Perth Glory Women coach Jamie Harnwell, National Training Centre coaches Elisa D’Ovidio and Jessine Bonzas and Football West Chief Executive Peter Hugg will be among guests at the function, which will explore all aspects of the WA women’s game.

The second Women’s Football Forum comes on the back of the success of the inaugural event in December last year.

Topics of discussion include the women’s strategic development plan, dealing with young female adults, engaging young girls in the game, the Skill Acquisition Program and the impact of girls playing in boys’ teams.

The forum runs from 9am to 12pm.

For further information or to express your interest in attending this important event, please contact elisa.dovidio@footballwest.com.au stating your name and your club, if applicable.

Have your say on women’s football

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Women’s football will be in the spotlight at a public forum to be facilitated by Football West Board member Janette Spencer at E&D Litis Stadium on June 28.

Perth Glory Women coach Jamie Harnwell, National Training Centre coaches Elisa D’Ovidio and Jessine Bonzas and Football West Chief Executive Peter Hugg will be among guests at the function, which will explore all aspects of the WA women’s game.

The second Women’s Football Forum comes on the back of the success of the inaugural event in December last year.

Topics of discussion include the women’s strategic development plan, dealing with young female adults, engaging young girls in the game, the Skill Acquisition Program and the impact of girls playing in boys’ teams.

For further information or to express your interest in attending this important event, please contact elisa.dovidio@footballwest.com.au stating your name and your club, if applicable.

ABOUT

A free service to promote women's soccer in WA at grass roots level. Contact Penny on 0408 921 832 or socceron@womensoccer.com.au at any time for up-to-date news and information. Refer to Club Noticeboard for player, team and club news.